Fortunately, despite the arduous season Real Betis Balompié has had there is some colour on the horizon, some signs that give hope for the short-term future. These vital signs were provided by Lolo Reyes, one of the joys of the season was his debut in the Europa League in which dazzles with his drive and his insulting youth. After his first goal as a Betis player, scored in the match against Málaga CF last Monday, the Chilean midfielder attended the Club's official media to discuss his hopes at the green-and-white club. Even though there's a lot of room for improvement, as he himself says; the midfielder still believes that the club can avoid relegation, albeit a tremendous feat. While his first contact with European football is still complex for Lolo Reyes, the Betis stopper reiterated his commitment with the green-and-white club, hoping it will continue for many years to come during which time he will find the happiness that has been elusive this year.

It is really hard to explain what happened on Monday against Malaga CF.
After the match the team was completely gutted. We didn't find a reply to what was happening. We have now moved on, and we have to face up to a very important challenge that we have to go out to win.

It may be that we are talking about was the ideal opportunity to rekindle hopes of salvation.
We knew it was a great opportunity to catch up. There are matches coming up with direct rivals. Unfortunately, we were not able to get those vitally important three points.

However, before the sadness that was to invade the Benito Villamarín Stadium, you had a moment to celebrate your first goal for Real Betis Balompié.
I was very pleased with the goal. It was more important for the team to have won the match and I was not able to help them in respect; but I was happy for the goal although my objective is to keep improving with each day that goes by

This was his third goal as a professional football player. It came just weeks after the birth of his first daughter. It seemed it was destined to happen.
I dedicated the goal to her as she was born just a few weeks earlier. In this season that has been very difficult for us she was born, and in the short time she has been with us she's made me very happy.

The vagaries of the fixture calendar now take you to play at Camp Nou. Little needs to be said about one of the best teams in the world.
We are in a situation where we have to think about winning every game, no matter who the rival is. You have to play a near-perfect game to beat Barcelona. We are working on it.

Is there a specific technique required to beat FC Barcelona?
You have to concentrate for the full 90 minutes. We are working so that we can bring these three points home, they would do us the world of good as we can't take our eye off the price for one second".

FC Barcelona come to the match having played a demanding Champions League match against Club Atlético de Madrid. Will they be somewhat distracted?
We will be making a mistake if we thought that. They are a team who are used to playing all competitions and they have a very large team so whoever plays is going to play very well.

He left the pitch in tears the night they were eliminated from the Europa League. He also seemed distressed in last Monday's match. These situations demonstrate his complete commitment to the team and the pain he is suffering this season.
I don't believe I am more affected than any of the others. We are all just as committed and know the significance of the Club Maybe I should in a different way to the rest of my team mates. It has been a really tough season What I hate most is losing, maybe that's the way I show it.

In any case, despite being bad season, you have developed a lot in this first year in Spain and you have earned your place as a regular in the starting line-up.
It is still not enough to make me completely happy. At the end of the day the team is more important. I'm happy, if you can put it like that, because of my individual performance. I'm grateful to my team mates and the coaching staff for the confidence they have in me.

Given his character on the pitch, giving the instructions he needs to and his contagious spirit he seems more like a captain of the team.
I take that with caution. We know who the captains are. As your match minutes increase you gain confidence, maybe that's the reason why talk more than the rest.

Do you see Lolo Reyes wearing the captain's armband at Real Betis in coming seasons?
That may happen in the future - laughter-.

Even the most pessimistic of us could never have imagined a season that could have become such a nightmare...
If you ask any Betis player, or player from any other team, no one would have thought this could have happened. This situation needs to be tackled like men, facing the music right until the end for the Club and for the fans who have supported us.

The truth is that Betis are bottom of the league and they could be relegated next season. If in the end that is what happens, dignity will accompany the team in the remaining fixtures.
We can not close our eyes to a situation. Clearly, we have got one foot in the Second Division. We have to die like men. Whilst it is true that we have not had the best results in recent games there has been a vast improvement in the team.

There is another derby next week. The match is going to have even greater significance for the team after what happened in the UEFA Europa League?
However, we are only focusing on getting three points in Barcelona. We know it's going to be pretty hard, but it is all we're thinking about.

There have been hard moments throughout the season. Was the elimination against Sevilla FC the worst memory?
We've had some really tough times in the league too, but that was a severe blow.

You are one of those who is willing to play in the Second Division with Betis if the team is eventually relegated.
That's what I've always said. I do not want to talk about it because I'm 100% convinced that we will stay in the First Division. I have a contract, I have no problem playing here. On the country it would be a real pleasure to be with the fans that support us. It would be an honour to play with Betis in the Second Division.

You cannot deny that getting back into the Chilean national team is a short-term objective of yours.
Playing to your country is a dream for any player. At the moment I am 100% focused on this team and trying to stay in the First Division.